Lead image from Oliver Jeffers' Lost and Found.

Looking for festive things to do in Manchester? Celebrate the season at Aviva Studios with Winter Factory – our winter programme of events, live music and holiday fun.

Whether you’re looking for family activities, a space to unwind or the perfect gift for a special someone, we’ve got you covered.

Here’s our guide to making the most of Winter Factory.

Take the kids on an epic journey to the South Pole

Our adaptation of Oliver Jeffers’ award-winning children’s story Lost and Found will warm even the coldest heart. Bring the whole family on an adventure with a boy and a wandering penguin – but beware a gang of rowdy seagulls!

Lost and Found runs from Tuesday 12 December to Saturday 6 January.

Unwind with our festive happy hour

Join us every Friday in December from 5pm to 8pm for discounted drinks, live music and DJs. With spiced mulled wine and winter cocktails on the menu, the Social is the new spot in town for after work drinks.

Find the perfect gift

Shop our exclusive Lost and Found merch in the festive gift shop – including tote bags, posters and t-shirts featuring Oliver Jeffers’ beautiful illustrations. Plus shop our year-round Factory International merch for the art-lovers in the family. Searching for something extra special? Why not treat a loved one to a whole year of unmissable moments with a Factory International Gift Membership?

Spend the day at Melanin Markets Winter Wonders

Already ticked Manchester Christmas Market off your list? We’re bringing 65 Black-owned businesses to Aviva Studios for a festive edition of the popular Melanin Markets. Expect stalls for all your gift needs plus mouth-watering Caribbean food, live music and painting sessions.

Melanin Markets Winter Wonders runs from 12pm to 5pm on Sunday 3 December.

Make your own Christmas decorations

Take your seasonal décor to the next level with sustainable wreath making. Join our all-ages workshop and find out how to turn fabric scraps into a decoration fit for a Queen. Let’s get festive and sustainable!

Festive Wreath Making

Let us entertain the kids

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, but it can also be exhausting, right? Join one of our children’s workshops inspired by Lost and Found – including Create a Penguin, Pop-up Story Making and make your own Shoebox Adventure. Or you can pop by the Social during our drop-in sessions from Born To Be Wild Child featuring fun, festive activities. Grab a coffee (or a mulled wine) and watch the kids play.

Ring in the new year with a family-friendly rave

The best night('s sleep) of the year? The Playhouse Project bring their blend of family-friendly raving to Aviva Studios for an afternoon session on New Year's Eve. Party favourites like face painting, balloons, free glow sticks, bubble machines, snow machines and a playdoh station are bound to tire the little ones out while grown-ups can enjoy top tunes from DJs Eve's Drop Collective and MC Kwasi. Best of all? It's free to attend.

New Year’s Eve Family Rave

Experience a world-class gig

Take a break from Christmas parties and join us in the Warehouse for a spectacular season of live music featuring Children of Zeus and Special Guest Ghetts, Johnny Marr and the DMA’s.

Laugh till you cry with the country’s best comedians

Don’t miss Live at Christmas. Tim Key, Fern Brady, Ivo Graham, Jen Brister and Kyrah Gray arrive in Manchester for an all-star festive show – headlined by the masterfully understated and brilliantly unique Netflix star and BAFTA nominee Simon Amstell.